Precious moments

With Clay working weekends, some Sunday mornings I just can't motivate myself to go to church by myself with 4 kids. I will though, usually do a lesson at home. On this particular Sunday, I was gaterhing all my stuff up getting ready to sit down with the kids, and when I walked into the room, Noah was sitting here reading his Bible book to baby Z holding his hand. Oh my goodness....a great mommy moment!

My baby is learning to read

This is my 3rd year in a row to teach someone how to read. I have put it off with her, b/c after struggling with Noah, I have wisdom, and knew there was no need to rush it. I am glad I waited, b/c now she WANTS to know how to read. She sees her brother and sister reading, and she is ready. We just started last week, and she is doing really well.

Rachel is really shy...even around us. She gets kinda embarrassed reading aloud to me. She tries to cover it up by saying silly things, changing her voice up.....she got embarrassed when I was taking this photo.

9 months old

Check out my other blog to hear all about our baby boy being 9 months old, and see what could be the longest picture post I have ever done. If you are new to my blog, leave me a comment, and I can get you permission to look at the blog since it is private.

http://www.blessingsforthegoodlife.blogspot.com/

Now that this boy is mobile with his walker....this is what he does all day...he is hot on our heels! (and bruising them too ramming that walker into them! haha)

9 months old

Just look at our big boy. He is 9 months old today. He is literally growing and changing everyday. This boy is on the go! It is amazing how much he is doing since just last month at this time. He is such a silly little thing. And happy....I could not ask for a better baby. I think back to how fussy he was when we first got him....which was very understandably so....but it is just so hard to believe this happy thing is the same baby. I thank God so much for sending this precious little boy into our life. He brings so much joy to all of us. I could really get sappy on you tonight. Some days, I just have a really hard time with the thought of him not being mine forever. As much as I rejoice at his growth, and progress...being 9 months old today, seems like his court date is just looming up on me. It will be here in 2 1/2 months. The thought that he may just be with us that much longer....I can hardly bare it. It really gets me....when he is fussing, I pick him up, and he immediately snuggles up to me, relaxes his whole body, and closes his eyes. I feel our bond so strong at those times.....and it truly brings me to tears somedays.

I had someone call me Tuesday about a wedding, and she sounded like she would call me right back to book it. When I looked down at the calendar, I realized that is the Saturday after Z's hearing. I then said a prayer....for the Lord to guide that for me....that he knew if I could handle that wedding or not if Z left that week, and if Z was going to leave, then to please not let the girl call back. Well, she didn't call back. I was telling Clay I was glad I didn't book the wedding b/c I just don't what kind of emotional shape I will be in if Z leaves us just 3 days before I have to go shoot that wedding. Clay said, "oh, you ALL will just have to go live somewhere else....." Yep, he knows we will be pitiful basketcases when he leaves. Oh my.

I didn't want to turn his rejoicing 9 month old post into a doomsday post, but it has just been so heavy on my mind tonight. Zachariah, we all love you so much, and it is such a joy to watch you everyday!

Just this week, he has finally gotten this crawling thing down!

He loves to feed himself baby num nums and Gerber Wagon Wheels....

Therefore, we go straight to a bath afterwards...b/c he loves to make a mess when he eats!

He also has gotten very active in the tub. He has a big ol time in there!

See all that crazy splashing going on?

He is all smiles for Leah

I think I have shown this before...but this is how they always are at bathtime...they love to help me and watch him play

Look at how curly his hair is after a bath....it has really grown lately...but is still so soft...I love his hair.

We found him a toy at a Saver's store for cheap...yay! This converts to a toy he can walk behind and push.

Don't worry, there is no chance of him falling off this thing with all his protectors around!

He's coming to get me!

I think his eyes are getting better. Many of the pictures I have taken of him lately are showing the whites in both corners. Pictures are whenever I have been able to tell the most...it isn't as noticeable to me in person. He has an appointment with a specialist, but we can't get in until June. Hopefully it will be totally corrected by then.

He loves this walker. You put him in that thing, you better watch out! He will run you down he is so fast in that thing! His caseworker has one in her office, and she said one day after his visit, she looked up and he had made it down the hall.

The kids insisted, first thing after we got the trampoline put together that I put him on there to get a picture of all 4 together.

He really enjoys looking out the window. He is probably enjoying that circus of squirrels we have living back there.

The kids can never pass up an opportunity to get a picture made with him!

The girls get so excited if we have him in our arms when we come in to tuck them in at night. They like for him to get in the bed with them and pretend he is going to just sleep there.

I have a photo of Hunter doing this same thing. In the exact same spot of the old kitchen too.

My blessings...

The other day when Clay got home from work, we were discussing his day, and I can't remember how the conversation went, but I ended up saying..."well, I was here all weekend taking care of these morons". Yes, I know, mother of the year calling my kids that. To my defense, I was semi laughing when I said that....and it wasn't meant as an insult. Anyway, Noah heard me and said, "momma, we aren't morons, we are your BLESSINGS!" Yes son, you are exactly right, that is what you are. And when you are acting like morons....(like you did most of that day) that is what I need to remember...you are my blessings. :)

Aunt Kara is FUN!

My sister Kara came and stayed with us last Thursday night. She was here b/c she was picking her hubby up from the airport. He is officially back from Iraq (YAY!) and after a couple of weeks vacation, they will both be moving to Hawaii! So, we enjoyed her being here. The kids were so excited for her to jump on the trampoline with them. I was impressed by how long she stayed out there with them too. They loved it!

We went and checked out Larry's Pizza for the first time. Man, that was some good pizza!! They had a little room that was like a mini Chuck E. Cheese, where they got tickets and prizes.

A cure for boredom

What do you do when you just can't take their whining, backtalking, arguing, bad attitudes anymore? Put them to work! When Amber and Hunter left, we really relaxed with the kids in so many ways. The whole time they were here I felt like I had to really be on top of my game, which is so not me, that when they left, I relaxed with bedtime, punishments and chores. I felt like we all deserved the break. Clay went to work full-time, he has always been the one to really keep them in line at home when he was here all the time. And then we moved. You know everything goes out the window when you moved. Now I am settled, and have become very aware of the monsters they have become. Just kidding, they aren't that bad, but their attitudes could use a big adjustment. I am working on that. I am just finding it hard to find my groove with them with Clay gone. The other night, I had ENOUGH! I put their bored, whiny selves to work. They ended up having fun, and got that kitchen cleaned up for me! I enjoyed the sight when I walked in and saw them all 3 working together. One was washing, one was rinsing, and one was drying. Perfect number of kids for the job! Please excuse the shirtless gal....She had on longsleeve p.j.'s, and didn't want them to get wet.